Monitor GPU Usage While Gaming on macOS 13

Monitoring GPU utilization while gaming on macOS 13 (Ventura) is essential for optimizing performance, tracking frame rates, and identifying hardware bottlenecks. This guide covers the most efficient methods to track your graphics processor's load, ranging from Apple’s built-in developer overlay designed specifically for games to system monitors and lightweight third-party tools.

macOS 13 includes a built-in heads-up display (HUD) for games running on the Metal graphics API. It provides a real-time, in-game overlay showing GPU utilization, CPU load, resolution, and current frame rates.

  1. Close any running games.

  2. Open the Terminal app (found in /Applications/Utilities/).

  3. To enable the HUD globally for all Metal games, enter the following command and press Return:

    /bin/launchctl setenv MTL_HUD_ENABLED 1

  4. Launch your game. The Metal Performance HUD will automatically appear in the top-right corner of the screen.

To disable the overlay when you are finished gaming:

  1. Open Terminal.

  2. Enter the following command and press Return:

    /bin/launchctl unsetenv MTL_HUD_ENABLED

Note: Changes take effect the next time a game is launched.

Method 2: Use macOS Activity Monitor

If your game runs in a window or you use multiple monitors, macOS Activity Monitor provides a native way to watch your GPU without running Terminal commands.

  1. Open Activity Monitor via Spotlight (Command + Space) or from /Applications/Utilities/.
  2. In the top menu bar, click on Window and select GPU History (or press Command + 4).
  3. A floating graph will appear, displaying real-time GPU load across each graphics core.
  4. To keep this graph visible during gameplay, right-click the graph or the Activity Monitor icon in the Dock, choose Keep on Top (if supported by your window configuration), or position the window on a secondary display.

Method 3: Use Third-Party Menu Bar Monitors

If you prefer continuous system monitoring that does not obscure the game screen, lightweight third-party utilities can display GPU load directly in your menu bar.

  • Stats: A free, open-source macOS system monitor available on GitHub that allows you to add a real-time GPU utilization percentage and frequency graph to the menu bar.
  • iStat Menus: A comprehensive paid utility that provides detailed breakdowns of GPU usage, temperatures, and memory consumption.

These utilities are best suited for windowed or borderless-windowed gaming modes where the macOS menu bar remains accessible.